Tributes to 'remarkable' businessman and community champion Brian Boys

Brian passed away suddenly at his Stacksteads home on his 81st birthday this week

by Jon Macpherson

19:14, 4 Oct 2017Updated19:17, 4 Oct 2017

Brian Boys with his partner Janet outside the House of Parliament for his 80th birthday.

Tributes have been paid to a ‘truly remarkable’ Valley businessman and community champion who ‘left a lasting legacy’.

Brian Boys, chairman and co-founder of B&E Boys in Waterfoot, passed away suddenly on October 3 - his 81st birthday.

His son Peter, from Rawtenstall, said his dad was found dead at home on Booth Street in Stacksteads on Tuesday morning. He had been due to travel to Llandudno with his partner Janet for a celebratory birthday break.

Peter said: “It was sudden and not expected. We think it was natural causes, but we don’t know for sure yet.”

The grandfather-of-eight set up the Waterfoot building company with his late wife Elaine in 1961 and over the decades supported numerous local organisations, charities and clubs including Rossendale Hospice, Help for Heroes and Rossendale Rotary.

The keen Burnley fan also ‘never forgot his roots’ and became a key benefactor of Bacup Borough FC where the stadium was named in his honour.

A former military policeman, Brian helped to create new homes, employment spaces and jobs across Rossendale and met with senior political figures including Tony Blair, David Cameron, William Hague, and Bertie Ahern.

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An ‘avid and fastidious collector’ of wartime and post-war military memorabilia, Brian was internationally-known among enthusiasts and travelled ‘far and wide’ to add to what became one of the largest private collections of military vehicles in the UK.

Two of his tanks were even used in the Steven Spielberg film Saving Private Ryan.

Brian was a much-loved father to John, Michael and Peter, father-in-law to Jodi, Erica, and Jane, grandfather to Georgia, Brennan, Jaxon, Ethan, Ella, Lauren, Alex and Harry, and partner to Janet.

A family statement said: “Brian was approachable to all, supportive to many, as well as working to construct new homes and employment space for job creation whilst employing and training loyal and dedicated staff, through work in the Rossendale valley, and further afield, yet remaining an amazing husband, father and partner.

"Brian will be dearly missed by loved ones, family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances alike and on behalf of his immediate family we would like to thank the numerous messages of condolence and blessings at this time.”

Brent Peters, Bacup Borough FC club manager, said he was ‘absolutely devastated’ by his death. He said: “He was born and bred in Bacup, always remembered his roots and wanted to be associated with the club.

Brian pictured with his sons (L-R) Peter, John and Michael

“There was nothing he wanted more than to see the history of Bacup Borough continuing.

“Brian and his late wife worked tirelessly and brought up a remarkable family. The town of Bacup and the Rossendale Valley as a whole have lost a truly remarkable and great man.”

Rossendale MP Jake Berry said: “Brian was a giant of the Rossendale business community, had a vision and belief in this Valley like no other person and made a tremendous contribution. I had the privilege of hosting his 80th birthday which we held in the House of Commons. He was an amazing, amazing man, a visionary for Rossendale and someone I regarded as one of my close personal friends.

“His tragic and untimely death will be mourned by so many people.”

Brian cutting his cake at the House of Parliament for his 80th birthday last year

Bacup councillor Jimmy Eaton said: “I’ve known him for a long time and I always found him to be a gentleman and an honest and genuine man. He supported many organisations throughout Rossendale and he was always there if you wanted support. My condolences go to his family and I feel he will be very sadly missed.”

Irene Smith, chief executive of Rossendale Hospice, said: “Brian was a true gentleman who was very supportive to the Hospice and raised several thousand pounds on our behalf over the years.

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“We are privileged to have worked closely with Brian and his devoted family and we send our deepest sympathy to them at this sad time.”

Rossendale Mayor Colin Crawforth said his passing would leave “a hole” in the Valley, adding: “He’s left a legacy to be proud of.”

Born and raised in the Valley

Brian Boys was born and raised in Rossendale and attended St Paul’s primary school Constable Lee and Alder Grange secondary school before starting a six-year apprenticeship at Accrington College.

He became a joiner apprentice at Sedwick and Harrisson in Rawtenstall before serving two years national service as a military policeman where he remained ‘good friends with many of his comrades’.

The ‘remarkable and self-motivated man’ was inspired by his parents William and Dora and set up his business at Albion Street Saw Mills in Bacup in 1961 with his late wife Elaine.

They manufactured joinery items and undertook maintenance works on the many local mills, converting upper rooms into bathrooms in outdated properties as well as funeral directing.

Brian’s family said he was a firm believer in the words ‘you only fail when you stop trying’ and built B&E Boys up into a reputable family business with the help of his three sons. Over the years he also coached Maden Park Rovers in Stacksteads, sponsored St Josephs FC and organised the popular 1940s dance event The Swinging Blitz Ball.